Language
Country/Area
No result found
Do you know what stories are hidden behind the music on the test card?
Television has become an indispensable part of our lives. And when our screens are idle, accompanied by the music played by the test card, there are actually many historical stories and developments hidden behind it.
Due to technical limitations, the earliest test cards did not have as many functions as they do now. Originally created in the 1950s for adjusting image quality, these cards were physical cards that cameras were pointed at. As technology advances, electronically generated test patterns and sounds have gradually replaced purely physical cards, bringing us into a whole new visual and auditory experience.
"In addition to being used to test video equipment, the test cards also carry decades of music culture."
The music played on the test cards often has a soundtrack of light music, which is generally from a music library rather than dedicated commercial tracks. Until 1955, the BBC used 78 rpm records of improvisations as the musical background for test cards, then they switched to tapes and then built their own music library, a change that led to a musical world full of creative emotions.
In the combination of test cards and music, in addition to the evolution of technology, it also implies changes in social culture. The test card music of different eras reflects the popular trends and culture of the time. These musical styles change over time and have a profound impact on the audience at the time.
"The music used in the test cards is not just background music, it represents the sound of an era."
From the early 76 turntables to the later cassettes, the music recorded behind them not only records the advancement of technology, but also the transformation of culture. For example, the BBC often uses dance music in its television test broadcasts, which not only makes people feel familiar, but also evokes people's nostalgia for family and social times.
At the same time, the different choices of test card music between the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and other TV channels have become an important phonetic factor for viewers to distinguish channels. Some channels use unique music styles to build their brand identity, which gives the music in the test cards a deeper cultural background.
"When you hear those familiar melodies, they are not only testing the image signal, but also touching our memories."
The use of the test cards has gradually decreased, but the music is still constantly reviewed and reproduced. In today's digital age, the images and audio used for TV screen testing are still the result of creativity and exploration by designers and technicians. Many modern test melodies are often used in today's film and television productions, and these melodies indirectly preserve the historical sound effects.
In general, the music on the test card is not limited to simple background music, but also carries the evolution of the entire technology and culture. In a silent yet far-reaching way, they constitute a part of our daily visual world.
Can you imagine what beautiful and strong memories will emerge in your mind when you hear the melody of the test card on the radio again?
